Tag Archives: Accessories

This week, Pure Mobile is celebrating everyone's favorite tablet, with a slew of new cases for iPad 4th generation. From sleeves, to folio-style cases and accessories that double as a case and stand, we're bringing out the best from accessories makers like Griffin and Incase.

First up is an Griffin's Cinema seat an awesome iPad 4th Generation case that comes in especially handy on long car rides as an iPad car mount. Also compatible with iPad 2 and iPad 3, you can totally use the Cinema Seat as an everyday case, since it's got a securely padded frame that protects from daily wear and tear.

Griffin Cinema Seat Case for iPad 2, 3 & 4 in Black

But it's got something special in that it easily attaches to the back of a car headrest to become an in-car entertainment system for watching videos and playing video games. Its wide strap adjusts to fit most headrests and it's even got a stretchy pocket at the back where you can stash headphones and other small accessories.

Among our newest cases for iPad 4th Generation is yet another Griffin carrying Case. The Survivor hardly needs an introduction, since this super rugged case is already so popular for phones like the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S4.

And the Survivor case for iPad 4th Generation is just as tough, with multiple layers of rigid and soft protection that act as an armor for your tablet.

Griffin Survivor Case for iPad 2, 3 & 4 in Acid Green/Black

For those who love a good multitasker, Incase brings something else to the table with their line of Maki Jacket cases for iPad 4th Generation. This collection, which comes in colors that range from basic clack to hot pink, doubles as a folio case and viewing stand.

Give your iPad 360-degree protection with a screen-protecting cover that easily folds up into a stand for watching video and viewing pictures. Meanwhile, when it's not in use, this Incase carrying case stays put, thanks to a magnetic closure.

Incase Maki Jacket Case for iPad 2, 3 & 4 in Fuchsia

Of course, those are just a few of the new cases for iPad 4th Generation that have just arrived at Pure Mobile. There's also great colorful sleeves from Be.ez, nifty Folios from Moshi and Targus, and way more. So stop by our shop to see the full collection or check in regularly with the Pure Mobile blog for news on the latest gadgets and accessories.

Got yourself a shiny new Galaxy S4? Or planning to get one soon? Lucky you, because Samsung's latest is the hottest phone on the market right now. And if you are among the select few who've already got the latest Galaxy phone, or even if you're just thinking about getting one, today's Mobile Accessory of the Week – the iLuv Bolster Galaxy S4 Case – is a must-have for the new mobile elite.

There's actually an impressively big new lineup of iLuv Galaxy S4 cases and covers being released at the moment, and most of them are pretty sweet. But the Bolster Case has something special that even iLuv classics like the Gelato and Gossamer don't have – it doubles as a stand.

iLuv Bolster Galaxy S4 Case in Black

With a folio-style design, the iLuv Bolster Case combines durable, hard-shell materials with a soft and flexible front cover. But here's the neat part: that front cover folds back to instantly become a stand for watching video or viewing pictures and websites. It's also got customizable viewing angles.

And just in case you're thinking that folios are a hassle to flip open every time you make a call, the Bolster actually lets you talk with the cover closed, so your phone can be protected all the time. That's pretty cool too.

iLuv Bolster Galaxy S4 Case

The overall look of this accessory is classy and sophisticated. Especially in black, it's got a professional, cosmopolitain vibe to it. Pair that with a clever built-in stand that adds no bulk whatsoever and the feature that lets you talk with the cover closed, and the iLuv Bolster Galaxy S4 case has got you covered, no question about it.

The iEqualizer case for iPhone 5: a kind of silly and pretty useless accessory

Here on the Pure Mobile blog, we like to bring you news about the best gadgets, including the coolest iPhone accessories we can find. We've seen all kinds of iPhone cases and skins in our day, from typical protective gear to more out there designs. Many are good in their own right. But hey, they can't all be winners.

Case in point: the iEqualizer case for iPhone 5 from Strapya World. To be honest, we aren't really sure why Mashable thought this silly and impractical case was worth writing up at all.

In fact, we don't even know why we're talking about it right now, except maybe to prove the point that we've perhaps gone a little too far with our mobile accessories.

The idea behind the iEqualizer iPhone 5 case is that it slaps a sound "equalizer" on the back that does a little light show in response to noise. Ok, sort of cool, I guess. But, as it turns out, the thing's not even a true equalizer.

As Mashable points out, "each of the bars isn't reacting to specific frequencies. Nay, it's just the whole array of blinkenlights reacting to any sound nearby." So, like, whatever.

That on its own isn't enough to really kill this case as a conceptual accessory. Yes, a light-up case could look pretty cool in a dark night club. But if it's just for show, we'd at least expect this iPhone case to look cool over all. But it doesn't.

This total disaster of an accessory actually adds a ton of bulk to your phone, making its thickness almost double. And, to make matters worse, it's got an idiotic-looking plastic appendage at the top, which Mashable says works as on on/off switch.

Seriously? They couldn't think of a way to integrate a button that performs the same function?

Why anyone would dream this up when there are so many great and great-looking iPhone 5 accessories already on the market is beyond us. Except the obvious attempt at a cash-grab, we can't even explain why this piece of garbage exists.

In a head-to-head competition to find the best, we're starting a new feature on the Pure Mobile blog. In our accessories battles, we'll be pitting two similar accessories against one another and crowing a victor. This time, it's Samsung accessories in the ring, and two heavyweight Galaxy S3 carrying cases will be slugging it out

Both of our challengers this week are designed to be heavy-duty, ultra durable and protective Galaxy S3 phone cases. Built to take a fair amount of abuse, only one will emerge victorious. Let's get started!

Up first is a contender that hardly needs an introduction – the OtterBox Defender Case for Galaxy S3. But will it defend its title? Well, things are looking good, as this multilayered, well-engineered accessory is certainly a heavy-hitter.

OtterBox Defender Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 in Black

WIth three protective layers, including high-impact polycarbonate and durable, shock-resisting silicone, as well as a screen protector, the Defender will keep your phone safe from bumps, shocks, drops, dust and scratches. But it's unlikely you'll ever drop it anyhow, since it comes with a convenient holster to keep it in place.

That's a lot of protection in an all-around solid carrying case, so it's no surprise the Defender is one of the leading accessories of its kind for the Galaxy S3. And it's going to be a hard one to beat.

Now onto the challenger, the PureGear Dualtek Case for Galaxy S3. Like the OtterBox Defender, the Dualtek is designed to withstand rough abuse, witha durable, layered construction that combines strength, toughness and flex.

PureGear Dualtek Extreme Shock Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 in Black

Its 3M E.A.R. Corner Impact Protection controls shock by isolating vibrations, and its screen shield will keep your display safe from dings and scratches. This Galaxy S3 case is also quite slim and sleek, less bulky than the Defender, and provides superior grip that's comfortable in hand.

So who won?

As much as we like to root for the underdog, we'd have to give the champion's title to OtterBox in this case. Sometimes, the leader's just the leader for a reason, and though PureGear's Dulatek case provides a really great level of protection, the ultra-tough and durable thing is just OtterBox's forté. Well done, Defender case, well done!

OtterBox carrying cases are already widely credited as some of the world's best . Their protective Defender and Commuter cases are highly reviewed and extremely popular. But even so, the company's been promising something new since 2012 and with their latest OtterBox Armor case for iPhone 5, they've delivered.

"The OtterBox iPhone 5 Armor Series case is a reinvention of an OtterBox classic that brings protection against water, drops, dust and crushing force," says the company.

But we feel that's a mild understatement. This super-tough case can actually survive a plunge of up to 6 metres, thanks to metal latches, an o-ring seal, port covers and mesh coverings.

The new Otterbox Armor case for iPhone 5 in Black and Green

Since it was only unveiled a little over a month ago at CES, the iPhone 5 Armor case, which is also available for iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S III, is basically the newest thing on the market.

But already, it's been surrounded by great reviews calling it one of the best. PC Mag listed the Armor case for iPhone 5 in its roundup of the 20 coolest cases at CES.

OtterBox Armor Case for iPhone 5 in White and Grey

And for its part, OtterBox is calling it the toughest case ever built, adding, "This case was made with confidence. We encourage you to use it with some."

Otterbox has long been a leader in iPhone accessories, and with this latest offering, it looks as though the company intends to keep its crown. As for us, we're thrilled to have the Armor case for iPhone 5 available so early in its release, and we're pretty sure you will be too.

It's not often that you get a great deal on one of the most popular and highest rated accessories for one of the best and newest phones. But this week, the Survivor series, Griffin's leading carrying case for iPhone 5, is on super sale at Pure Mobile.

With an iPhone 5 accessory as high-rated and well-loved as this, it almost seems like an exercise in redundancy to go through a description. But for those who aren't already well acquainted with Griffin's star iPhone case, here goes:

Griffin proudly claims that the Survivor case is the most protective case they've ever built, which, for this company, is saying something. Unapologetically over-engineered, the Survivor for iPhone 5 is built to military specifications, "designed and tested to meet or exceed US Department of Defense Standard 810F."

Griffin Survivor Carrying Case for iPhone 5 in Black and Blue

With a multi-layer construction that combines shatter-proof polycarbonate with shock-absorbing silicone, the Survivor case has been tested to withstand rain, vibrations, blown sand and dust, and even a 6-foot drop onto concrete.

But this carrying case serves just as well for everyday life as it does in military-grade tests, and handy features, like a multi-position clip make it a practical and functional civilian favorite.

Griffin Survivor Case for iPhone 5 in Black and Green

And with a wide variety of colors to choose from (our sale includes models in basic black or grey, as well as color combos with red, blue, green and more), there's a stylish option for almost every taste.

And right now, we've got the Griffin Survivor for iPhone 5 priced around the $20 mark, which is probably just about the best deal you can get on an iPhone 5 accessory with this level of design and quality.

Any proud new owner of a BlackBerry Z10 is probably facing the same dilemma – having one of the newest phones on the market can make finding compatible accessories hard. Good thing, then that leading case maker OtterBox is already making fun new gadgets and accessories for BlackBerry Z10.

Just in at Pure Mobile, one of the most popular OtterBox carrying cases, the Defender, has arrived for Blackberry's first all-touch phone. The Defender is already among one of the top cases for both iPhone and Android devices, like the Galaxy S3. But, with the celebrated arrival of the new Z10, it only made sense for OtterBox to start making Blackberry carrying cases that offer the same level of protection.

As with the Defender models for other phones, this rugged accessory combines multiple layers for ultimate device protection, including a high-quality polycarbonate shell, a shock-absorbing silicone skin, and a clear screen protector.

The four layers of protection in OtterBox's Defender case for BlackBerry Z10

And, for no-fuss carrying, this super resilient OtterBox case also comes with a ratcheting belt holster that makes it easy to clip your phone someplace handy.

To be sure, it's always harder to find accessories when you've got the latest handset. And you probably won't find as wide of a selection of Blackberry Z10 covers and skins as you would carrying cases for iPhone or other devices that have been around longer. But at least the first Z10 accessories out there are bound to be the high quality stuff, as is the case with OtterBox's Defender.

Well-conceived and well-built, it's surprisingly slim and always reliable. And for protection from dust, drops, bumps and shocks, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better BlackBerry carrying case than the OtterBox Defender for Z10.

So, at the risk of a pun, LifeProof has made quite a splash in the past year or so, thanks to its highly effective waterproof Apple accessories. Not too long ago, we reviewed their waterproof carrying cases for iPad and iPhone 4/4S. But today's mobile accessory of the week is LifeProof's long-awaited accessory for iPhone 5.

The leading maker of waterproof carrying cases has finally put out its iPhone 5 model, and it's just arrived at Pure Mobile. As with LifeProof's versions for older Apple devices, the LifeProof Case for iPhone 5 is not only waterproof, but dirt-, snow-, and shock-proof too.

LifeProof Waterproof Case for iPhone 5 in Black

If you have any doubts in this area, they may be put to rest by the fact that the LifeProof waterproof case either meets or exceeds tests from both the U.S. and U.K. armies, so it's fully military-grade.

For such a rugged and resilient case, you might expect something much heavier and bulkier. But the LifeProof case for iPhone 5 is actually quite slim and light, totally in keeping with the design of the device it's intended to protect.

LifeProof Waterproof Case for iPhone 5 in White

Another thing worth noting about aesthetics is that, for an iPhone 5 accessory that could have prospered based on its functionality and practicality alone, some extra effort has been put into looks here.

Though it's hardly a rainbow of color, it's nice to know that there's at least two color options (black and white) and that the overall look has been kept as simple and streamlined as possible, considering all that this accessory can do.

We will say this: in the realm of iPhone accessories, the LifeProof carrying case for iPhone 5 isn't cheap. But If you're looking for fully-protective waterproof, shock-proof and drop-proof functionality, it's among the best.

It's kind of a new thing that people are talking about cell phone accessories, like carrying cases and skins, in terms of fashion and trends. But right now, animal prints and motifs are big. And we've put together a list of our top 5 iPhone accessories in animal patterns, one of the season's biggest trends.

Among the best and coolest in this category are Griffin and Incase carrying cases for iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. It's odd that just two accessories makers made our list, but hey, some brands are just more style-conscious than others. Read on for the coolest skins and cases inspired by the wild kibgdom:

1. Griffin's Moxy Cat Carrying Case for iPhone 5 in pink and Black

Griffin Moxy Cat Case for iPhone 5 in Pink and Black

Definitely designed with the fashionista in mind, this model features a jungle-inspired leopard print in always fashionable black with hot pink accents. Underneath the cool look though, you'll find this case has two layers of protection, all with easy access to screen, ports, camera and controls. Me-ow!

2. Griffin Moxy Python Carrying Case for iPhone 5 in Black

Griffin Moxy Python Case for iPhone 5 in Black

Animal prints drawn from the big cats have always been a fixture of fashion, but more recently snakes and lizards have been a top trend too. Get that cool reptilian look with Griffin's Moxy Python Case with a textured pattern of large, black scales. It's wickedly cool.

3. Griffin Moxy Python Carrying Case for iPhone 5 in Red

Griffin Moxy Python Case for iPhone 5 in Red

For a slightly more delicate snakeskin look, the textured pattern on the Griffin Moxy Python Case in Red is a little more intricate and dainty. Still wild at heart, it combines one of the biggest trends of the season with a hot red punch of color.

4. Incase Animal SnapCase for iPhone 4S in White

Incase Animal SnapCase for iPhone 4S in Striped White

When it comes to the animal print craze, all animals are fair game, and this white Incase carrying case snaps on for zebra-inspired statement. The overall color combo of this wild and stripey model makes for a slightly subtler statement than some of the other accessories in our top 5. So it's a way to rock this trend without making too loud of a splash.

5. Incase Animal SnapCase for iPhone 4S in Red

Incase Animal SnapCase for iPhone 4S in Striped Red

And from there, we go straight to the big guns, with the red-n-red Animal SnapCase from Incase. WIth a bold tiger print, and hot, attention-grabbing color combo, this iPhone 4 carrying Case is not for the faint of heart. Flashy, and wild, it's the epitome of what animal prints are all about.

In terms of iPhone accessories, these top 5 animal-inspired cases are among the coolest and trendiest. But more importantly, Griffin and Incase are both brands we can trust as far as practicality and protection goes. So you can be sure your phone won't just look good, it'll be in good hands.

Okay, so we all want to keep our fragile and costly devices protected. But have we gone a little too far in making crazy brick-like carrying cases to keep them safe? mentalKase, a new line of protective iPhone cases on Kickstarter, has led us to conclude yes and no.

At first glance, we completely pshawed the mentalKase. Branded as a sort of ultimate outdoorsman's carrying case, It looks like a really big silicone skin with a handle, wrapped around a slightly smaller silicone skin. Combined, the two layers practically double the size of your iPhone – talk about bulky!

But the case (which is compatible with iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S with an iPhone 5 model in the works) isn't actually silicone. Its inner layer is made of TPU, while the large outer layer is made of micro-cell rubberized foam (MCRF), which mentalKase says "protects sensitive electronics from shock and impact" like nothing else.

And while their video shows someone dropping their iPhone, clad in a mentalKase, from a two-story rooftop, and another person chucking theirs into the air like a juggler, one wonders if any normal person would ever need protection for such activities? Nonetheless, the the iPhones survive, so at least we know the mentalKase does what it's supposed to.

Another little drawback to the mental case is that, while the outer layer allows access to the headphone jack, no mention is made of any of the other iPhone ports, so we're not really sure how you're supposed to charge with it on. Nevermind that it's not particularly attractive, though you can remove the outside and use just the inner layer.

It's also behind some other heavy-duty iPhone accessories, like the Lifeproof, and OtterBox's upcoming Armor case, in that it's not waterproof. But it will float to the surface, for whatever good that does you.

The outer layer of the mentalKase converts to a desktop iPhone stand

There are some nice features to the mentalKase, however. You can use it with your phone's screen out or flipped in, for extra protection. And the outer layer can be removed and converted into an iPhone desktop stand.

Also, the MCRF material used for the outer is anti-microbial. But, just as we feel it's a bit of an exaggeration to try and protect your phone lest it fall off a roof, we also think it's a little phobic to need a sterile case. Really, has your phone case ever given you a cold?

Over all, the mentalKase looks like a pretty decent product, and seems to deliver on what it promises. So, in that sense, it's not really going overboard if you happen to need a massive, germ-resistant iPhone case that can survive a game of "toss that phone" and can float like a fishing bobber.

But if you're looking for everyday use, we'd probably recommend a more streamlined case with a slightly lower level of shock absorption, something that'll actually fit in your pocket.

Still, it just goes to show that, for every person and every lifestyle, there's an iPhone accessory out that's just right.